November 30, 2012

Much of my book---"WHAT THE (BLEEP) JUST HAPPENED?---describes exactly who Barack Obama is, what he believes, and how he is carrying out the self-described "fundamental transformation" of the nation. He is a pure leftist ideologue, whose sole intent is to "fundamentally transform" America into a European-style socialist state, with radical, state-enforced wealth redistribution driving the "fundamental" change.

He is not interested in compromise or conciliation. He's not interested in pragmatism or working with Republicans. He's not interested in economic growth or job creation. In fact, he's interested in the exact opposite: keeping the economy crappy in order to generate ever-greater dependency on his ever-growing government---which is also why he's not interested in cutting spending. At all. Ever.

As I write about in "WHAT THE (BLEEP)?", every single time he's made some economic proposal, it's involved higher taxes and not less spending, but MORE. After the 2010 election, he was forced to extend the Bush tax rates, but now that he feels he's got the upper hand again, he's back to his unwavering "fundamental transformation" mode. Higher taxes and more spending.

His proposal to Republicans yesterday to "avoid" the fiscal cliff was so insulting that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell literally laughed in the face of the guy carrying Obama's message, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. Obama---once again----proposed huge new taxes (especially on the "rich," ie. the class warfare part of the "fundamental transformation") and even more spending.

Some are acting shocked that Obama would make an offer so unserious and insulting. Where have they been for the last 5 years? This is who Obama is. This is what he believes. Not a big mystery here, guys.

His seeks a legacy which is not the usual legacy presidents desire of peacemaking and leaving a strong economy. Quite the opposite. He dreams of a legacy that completes that "fundamental transformation" of the nation to socialism.

He will not waver. He will not falter. And in his mind, he will not fail.

If Republicans could see this clearly, they might be able to fight it. But they are still dealing with Obama as if he's operating with a shred of goodwill and presidential normality. He is not operating with goodwill nor is he a "normal" president. Wake up, Republicans. Blocking the "fundamental transformation" rests with you.

November 28, 2012

Formerly hard-core Marxists around the world have been discovering that radical wealth redistributionism doesn't work, except to create widespread and profound poverty, misery, and destruction. At some point, even the most hardened communists realize the ideology just isn't worth it, that Marx wasn't such an attractive dude, and that---holy Toledo!---people want to be and like being rich.

So, many of these former communists have been turning toward free market capitalism. The Chinese got the ball rolling many years ago, when they started allowing limited economic freedom, first to farmers and the agricultural sector, and then to the broader society. The Chinese economy---while still one under "managed capitalism"---has been booming for years as a result, and it now includes an ever-growing middle class.

The Chinese economy, however, is slowing, like many other economies, so the communist leadership just announced that it is going to cut taxes. Yes, the commies are cutting taxes to spur job creation and economic growth. What a concept.

Not to be outdone by their Chinese brethren, the Cuban communist leadership is taking even more radical steps to get economic growth going. Starting January 1, everyone in Cuba will be taxed according to their income. No more blind subsidies. No more total government control. No more, well, communism.

"The government's free market reforms introduced over the last two years, are designed to encourage small businesses, private farming and individual initiative, along with plans to pay state workers more. Under the new tax code the state hopes to get its share of the proceeds.

"The government also envisions replacing subsidies for all with targeted welfare, meaning that the largely tax-free life under a paternalistic government is on its way out."

Communism: "On its way out." Wow.

This latest change to the Cuban tax code comes after a few years of free market experimentation begun by Raul Castro after he took over for his brother Fidel. The fact that the Castro boys are ditching the dismal failure of communism and replacing it with free market capitalism is nothing short of breathtaking.

And yet, here we are in America, with the Democrat president and Congressional leadership going the other way, doing everything they can to get us looking like China or Cuba circa 1965.

It is extreme economic folly----and an epic historical blunder. But make no mistake: they know EXACTLY what they are doing.

November 27, 2012

All of this talk about the so-called "fiscal cliff" is pointless. Here we are again: our leadership simply will not confront the gravest problem the country faces: gross overspending. Right now, the federal government spends $10 BILLION A DAY. You could literally tax the wealthiest Americans to kingdom come, and it would fund the government for a handful of days. Tax rates really aren't the issue, although if rates were reduced (including the individual, corporate, capital gains, and dividend tax rates), we'd see economic growth and job creation, leading to more money flowing into the Treasury (as it always has when rates have been cut).

The real issue is spending...all kinds of government spending but primarily health care entitlement spending. Without real reform of Medicare and Medicaid (never mind the Mother Of All Budget-Busting Entitlements, ObamaCare), the deficit and debt will continue to explode until the laws of economics kick in and everything comes to a screeching halt. (See: Greece).

Paul Ryan's last two budgets---passed by the House and killed by Harry Reid in the Senate---attempted to deal with entitlement reform before the grotesque overspending becomes a full-blown crisis and the programs end themselves. Most Democrats refuse to even look at reform, wishing to go on spending blindly and buying votes along the way.

November 26, 2012

It takes a Communist to know one...and to know one really, really well. This column, published yesterday in Russia's "Pravda", is a powerful indictment of Barack Obama....and the American people who gave him a second term. It's a must-read:

November 22, 2012

As Americans, today we count our many blessings. We give thanks for our families and friends, our faith, our Constitution and the many freedoms it guarantees, our great and good country, and the extraordinary United States military, our bulwark against tyranny, oppression and terror.

We are going through tough times, but we are truly blessed in this great land. There is still no other nation like it on earth. Never has been, never will be. God blessed America from the beginning. And He blesses us still. Now we just have to work a bit harder to save her. The work begins anew tomorrow. For today, we celebrate and give thanks.

November 20, 2012

Of the countless disappointing and depressing results of this year's election, one of the most disappointing is the result we got today. After a protracted challenge and recount given an extremely close ballot count and evidence of irregularities, Republican Congressman Allen West conceded his race in Florida's 18th Congressional District to his Democrat opponent, Patrick Murphy.

When Allen West conceded, we lost a fierce and dedicated public servant on Capitol Hill. A true American hero who served 22 years in the United States Army, including tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, West then chose to engage in combat of a different kind by running for and serving in Congress. He has always fought for the Constitution and its great foundational principles: limited government, fiscal responsibility, individual liberty, and economic freedom. He has always fought for us, the American people, whom he knew counted on him to protect and defend us from enemies of all kinds. He took that job seriously...and he will continue to do so.

On a personal note, Allen and his beautiful family are good friends who are extraordinarily kind, generous, humble, giving, warm, funny, and loving. You will not meet finer or more honorable people.

In his concession statement, Allen thanked his supporters and staff for all of their hard work and dedication. And then he added a personal reflection about his own journey in service of this great nation...and about the challenges that lie ahead. I leave you with his inspiring words:

"Above all, I want to thank God for his blessings, and for blessing me with the opportunity to serve.

"Only God knows what is in store for each of us. I have dedicated my life to serving this nation, and the results of this election will not change my purpose. Just as I did in the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan, just as I did on Capitol Hill, I will continue to fight for our Republic.

"Our nation will not overcome our challenges overnight, and the road ahead for each one of us will not be easy. But this nation would never have become that shining beacon of light if our founders had chosen the easy path 236 years ago. We all must proudly continue their legacy.

"For the protection and preservation of our life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, I shall remain steadfast and loyal. God bless you and God bless these United States of America."

November 19, 2012

President Obama won re-election, the Democrats picked up a few seats in the House and retained control of the Senate, and so now here comes the Left once again to confiscate pretty much everything you have and have worked for.

When Warren Buffett first proposed raising the tax rate on "the rich," aka "guys like him," he meant raising taxes on the super-rich, say, those---like him---making over $25 million or even over $50 million a year. The threshold for "rich" then got lowered to those making over $1 million a year. And then, the threshold got lowered even more, to individuals making $200,000 and households making $250,000 a year. $200,000 a year is a far cry from $25 million a year...or even $1 million a year. But the reason they keep lowering the bar for those who will qualify for the higher tax rate is because they know that they could literally confiscate 100% of the assets of the country's wealthiest folks and that would fund the federal government for just a few days (right now, the feds are spending $10 billion PER DAY).

So, the Left knows it must constantly lower the bar as to whom qualifies as "rich," and in pretty short order, the bar will be lowered again. About 3 years ago, the Democrats on the Senate Budget Committee (led by Kent Conrad and who haven't produced an actual budget in nearly 4 years) suggested those who make as little as about $110,000 a year should be taxed at the highest rate.

That's coming. And it's comning because the Left needs to feed its ever-growing and ravenous beast of government. And the only way to do that is to go where the REAL money is: the middle class.

November 16, 2012

At this time of year, "The Monica Crowley Show," which is nationally syndicated, often gets pre-empted by college football games. For example, for much of the autumn, 77 WABC in New York will be pre-empting my show to carry Army football. Often, these stations will stream the show on their websites instead. Please check your local station's website. On Saturday, my show can be heard online on the WABC website at 1pm ET. Please go to www.WABCRadio.com and click on "Listen Live." It's going to be a great show---I'm going to break down what's REALLY going on re Benghazi, and I'll talk to Fox Business Network's Charles Payne about the Obama Economy and Melissa Francis about her stunning new memoir---so please tune in. Thank you!